What's the general consensus on speeding tickets?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 955
Likes: 4
From: Union City, CA
What's the general consensus on speeding tickets?
I spent a good amount of time reading the various threads about speeding tickets couldn't find a consistent answer since every situation is different.
This past Sunday I got my first speeding ticket in my Z06. I got LIDAR'ed doing 83 in 65. Also got cited for window tint. CHP in California.
I did the crime, now I gotta pay the fine. Here comes the but......
I am however trying to figure out what is my best recourse with the court/legal system. I want to use our legal system to the best of my ability.
- Pay the fine and take a class online?
- Show up in court and ask for a reduced sentence?
- Use one of those online ticket busters that use Trial by Written Declaration? (I looked up a lot of them and they got horrible reviews on Yelp and other review sites).
What do my fellow C5'ers and LEO's suggest?
This past Sunday I got my first speeding ticket in my Z06. I got LIDAR'ed doing 83 in 65. Also got cited for window tint. CHP in California.
I did the crime, now I gotta pay the fine. Here comes the but......
I am however trying to figure out what is my best recourse with the court/legal system. I want to use our legal system to the best of my ability.
- Pay the fine and take a class online?
- Show up in court and ask for a reduced sentence?
- Use one of those online ticket busters that use Trial by Written Declaration? (I looked up a lot of them and they got horrible reviews on Yelp and other review sites).
What do my fellow C5'ers and LEO's suggest?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,855
Likes: 78
From: Sammamish WA
WA Events Coordinator
At least go to Court, in my experience they always reduce the Traffic School or Payment by 50%...at least her in SoCal.
But having a decent radar detector and eye scan can go a long way to not getting tickets. Mine picks up (the only Radar signal used in CA these days) Ka from well over a mile away, though instant on can get you if its a long deserted road. (if other cars you'll get warning when the cop triggers them)
Laser is what can get you though. I mount my detector up high next to the Mirror (with a power cord right there) with the idea its the best place to catch any laser light scatter over the top of a vehicle in front of me and giving me some warning...
But having a decent radar detector and eye scan can go a long way to not getting tickets. Mine picks up (the only Radar signal used in CA these days) Ka from well over a mile away, though instant on can get you if its a long deserted road. (if other cars you'll get warning when the cop triggers them)
Laser is what can get you though. I mount my detector up high next to the Mirror (with a power cord right there) with the idea its the best place to catch any laser light scatter over the top of a vehicle in front of me and giving me some warning...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 955
Likes: 4
From: Union City, CA
My radar detector went bonkers letting me know I was being "lasered." It scared the bejesus out me as I never heard the laser tone other than during the power up cycle when it plays all the tones.
In this case, my radar detector made no notification that I was lasered.
....... If I go to court and request traffic school, am I still able to take it online or am I committing myself to a full 8 hour in-person class?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,798
Likes: 8
From: It's true money can't buy happiness, but it is more comfortable crying in a Corvette than on a bicyc
St. Jude Donor '13
depends on your finances. if you're doing ok get an attorney who handles tickets in that jurisdiction. you'll always get a better deal but it will cost more in the long run. going to court without an attorney usually ends up costing more because you usually get the maximum fine along with court costs. paying the fine and taking an online course is the easy way out and slightly cheaper sometimes.
my only run in with california hipo didn't go well. i got nailed outside of calabasis and a second car arrived. i was doing 85 in a 55. thought i'd get a ticket then run back to texas and not pay squat. well the second car followed and the first car led me straight to court where after 2 hours of waiting i got to see ms. judge. end result was pay 265. now or off to jail. do you take visa? why yes we do. end of story
sorry about the no caps i posted from my phone
my only run in with california hipo didn't go well. i got nailed outside of calabasis and a second car arrived. i was doing 85 in a 55. thought i'd get a ticket then run back to texas and not pay squat. well the second car followed and the first car led me straight to court where after 2 hours of waiting i got to see ms. judge. end result was pay 265. now or off to jail. do you take visa? why yes we do. end of story
sorry about the no caps i posted from my phone
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 18,643
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From: Norman Oklahoma - The Only State in the Union with no Blue Counties!
Deserved many,,,gotten "0"
Last edited by Silverbullet00; Apr 4, 2012 at 10:59 PM.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 955
Likes: 4
From: Union City, CA
I don't know, yet. Got popped this past Sunday.
With respect to finances, I would rather pay to not have points and have my insurance premiums go up. You’re saying that an attorney will be more expensive in the long run but also going without an attorney will also cost a lot due to maximum fines.
What is your preference if finances were not an issue?
I was actually looking up attorneys that deal with speeding infractions that are based out of the same city as the court. I figured it might be more cost effective if the attorneys deal with this regularly and are nearby the court. Maybe that’s a pipe-dream, but I’m still at the Googling stage.
depends on your finances. if you're doing ok get an attorney who handles tickets in that jurisdiction. you'll always get a better deal but it will cost more in the long run. going to court without an attorney usually ends up costing more because you usually get the maximum fine along with court costs. paying the fine and taking an online course is the easy way out and slightly cheaper sometimes.
my only run in with california hipo didn't go well. i got nailed outside of calabasis and a second car arrived. i was doing 85 in a 55. thought i'd get a ticket then run back to texas and not pay squat. well the second car followed and the first car led me straight to court where after 2 hours of waiting i got to see ms. judge. end result was pay 265. now or off to jail. do you take visa? why yes we do. end of story
sorry about the no caps i posted from my phone
my only run in with california hipo didn't go well. i got nailed outside of calabasis and a second car arrived. i was doing 85 in a 55. thought i'd get a ticket then run back to texas and not pay squat. well the second car followed and the first car led me straight to court where after 2 hours of waiting i got to see ms. judge. end result was pay 265. now or off to jail. do you take visa? why yes we do. end of story
sorry about the no caps i posted from my phone
What is your preference if finances were not an issue?
I was actually looking up attorneys that deal with speeding infractions that are based out of the same city as the court. I figured it might be more cost effective if the attorneys deal with this regularly and are nearby the court. Maybe that’s a pipe-dream, but I’m still at the Googling stage.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 623
Likes: 0
From: Tsawwassen BC
you speed and don't get caught 
but if you get caught....pay the fine and make it a learning experience...never ever speed alone...go with the bunch.....hell even a wilda beast figured that one out....be safe and save $$$$$ 
we all have a heavy foot.....just pick your moments...have fun...play safe.....
but if you get caught....pay the fine and make it a learning experience...never ever speed alone...go with the bunch.....hell even a wilda beast figured that one out....be safe and save $$$$$ we all have a heavy foot.....just pick your moments...have fun...play safe.....
Last edited by Vetteriffic; Apr 4, 2012 at 11:11 PM.
Melting Slicks
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Melting Slicks
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98% of the time you dont ask, you just show up and the prosecutor will reduce the violation for you. Ive had speeding tickets downgraded to obstruction of traffic no points.
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that leads to guaranteed increase in insurance! 
